IHIGH LINKS

Journey Ends in Overtime

Five kids sat together in the bleachers decked out in blue and white, ready to cheer with all their might as their heros took to the floor. All five had their favorite player on the floor.

"I'm Brad!" said the first. "I can shoot the rock, I'm Zach," said the second. "I'm tall, so I'm Drew," said the third."I can rebound, so I'll be Spenser," the fourth said. "I'm faster than all of you, so I am Christian," the final one said. "What about Evan and the other guys," asked little Brad? "If you go out, you are who ever comes in," said little Spenser.

With that, the referee threw the ball in the air and the game began. The five watched and cheered and watched and cheered as their team built a quick 14 point lead. Then they watched and cheered and watched and cheered as the team from West Lutheran made their comeback. It would be that way all night, but the kids never gave up hope and always believed. The Eagles took a four point lead to halftime and began the second half rebuilding their lead only to watch as the Warriors came back to take a four point lead of their own.

"Come on guys," said little Christian. "We can do this," exclaimed little Drew.

They did. The five screamed until the team they love held a 11 point lead with a little over three minutes showed on the second half clock. Victory seemed a sure thing. Then the Warriors battled all the way back to tie the game at 68. For the second time this season, the Eagles and Warriors would need overtime to decide who would advance to the championship.

Back and forth the two teams went in a great game. The five kids watched as the clock ticked down with their Eagles trailing by four. The final seconds melted off the clock with the final score reading West Lutheran 80 Heritage Christian Academy 76. With tears in their eyes, the five found their parents and gave them hugs as they tried to make sense of what they just saw.

The seniors on this team and their parents deserve a ton of thanks for all the work and support that they have given this program. Their legacy in life is not defined by a win or a loss, nor is it defined by a trophy. It is every little thing that they have done through their journey that we will remember and that is etched in our hearts.

This program is in the spot it is in because of you! Evan, Christian, Brad, Zach, Cole, Alex and Gabe, you gave so much of your time and energy to put HCA basketball on the map. For that, we are forever thankful! Those five kids heads will hit their pillows tonight and they will dream of playing like their heros. They will count backwards in the driveway as an imaginary clock is all that stands between them and their moment. The ball is shot, and seems to float in mid-air forever. The buzzer sounds but everything around them goes silent. Then with the help of a higher power, the ball rattles around the rim and tickles the net for the game winner.

Two games into the 2012-2013 season and there is something special about this team. Those who truly matter and believe already knew that. The Eagles opened the home portion of the schedule with a dominating 80-47 win over section foe Metro Tech. More